Drake’s Take: New Releases 03.29.11

I’d have to agree with my friend Drake; the new Peter Bjorn and John is just about the best thing I’ve heard all year. -ed.

Drake’s Take: New Releases 03.29.11

Didn’t get a chance to spend much time on the computer this week, which has me behind and sad that I didn’t get to spend more time writing about this week’s releases. There are a few I’ve been wearing out, namely from Peter Bjorn & John, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Obits and The Mountain Goats. The latest from Radiohead also sees commercial release this week along with new releases from Broken Bells, Those Darlins and Royal Bangs.

Not sure I understand the criticism being levied at Gimme Some, except, perhaps, in frustration with more ear worms from the band that made the world whistle back in 2006-2007. Instead of whistling, perhaps a call for more cowbell (“Second Chance”).

Much of the shoegaziness in past releases is gone in favor of 80s synth, and the result is sometimes breathtaking. The hear breaks much cleaner to sounds that the ghost of John Hughes is writing teen comedies to (“Heart in Your Heartbreak”).